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Top 3 Problems Faced by Hindu Marriage

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The following were problems faced by the institution of Hindu marriage:

(i) Child Marriage:

The problems of child marriage was very serious in Hindu society till the passing of sarada Act which fixed 18 and 21, the minimum marriageable age of a Hindu girl and boy respectively, The reasons behind child marriage in Hindu society were value of virginity, endogamy, religious conservatism, sati custom, the custom of dowry the joint family, less population and the absence of women education.

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(ii) Restriction of Widow Remarriage:

Restriction on widows’ remarriage was also prevailed in Hindu society due to the concept “Pativratya” which not only implies fidelity to the husband but also means service and worship of the husband till her death. This resulted in the increase of immorality work among widows and increase of prostitutes, sexual exploitation of child widows, large scale conversion of Hindu widows to Islam and Christianity. However at present widows remarriage is not opposed in Hindu community as Hindu widow remarriage Act 1856 declared legal validity of widow remarriage.

(iii) Dowry:

The glaring evils of dowry system were widely spread in the Hindu society. This resulted in the murder of female children, committing suicides of young girls, the late marriage of girls, unmatched marriages, breaking of the settlement of marriage on the question of dowry, the child marriage to avoid dowry, the criminal and corruption activities of father and the lowering the standard of living, mental disease and finally hindrance to women education.

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The evil of dowry is still persisting in Hindu society. It is now high time for Hindu society to put an end to this evil custom. Not only legal restriction on dowry but also stress on women education, encouragement for the incidence of inter caste marriages and anti dowry propaganda of public can uproot this evil system from Hindu society.

(iv) Divorce:

Hindu marriage was a religious sacrament and was un-breakable permanent bond. Hindu women could not divorce her husband even though he made hell of her life. But now Hindu Marriage Act – 1955 has allowed Hindu wife to divorce her husband if her another wife is alive or he has been found guilty of rape, sodomy of bestiality.

(v) Polygamy system:

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Formerly in Hindu society, a Hindu husband was allowed to have more than one wife for one reason or the other. It created jealousy among the wives and their children. It not only destroyed family happiness but also lowered the status of women in the society. Hindu marriage Act has abolished this system by prescribing monogamy system of marriage.

(vi) Problem of mate selection:

More emphasis was laid on endogamy and exogamy rules for selection of mate. Any violation of this rule was a serious offence, the punishment for which was usually excommunication from the caste. It was an in-exorable social law. It restricted the choice of mate selection to a narrow circle and thereby gave rise to some undesirable practices like polygamy, bride price, dowry and unsuitable matches. It developed casteism feeling in the society and shattered national unity.

The special marriage Act – 1954 discouraged this system and incidence of inter-caste and inter religion marriage have been increasing in Hindu society. Hindu code of 1955 has eliminated all problems of Hindu marriage and has brought a great change of Hindu marriage system.